Postcards From the Field

“Closet niche,” built this way, complete with missing steps and guard rail.

Welmoed Sisson Inspections by Bob Franklin, MD

There. Fixed it.

Michael Mallott Checkmark Home Inspections, LLC Leesburg, VA

Note: By sending in your postcard(s), you are expressly granting ASHI the right to use the postcard and your name with it in the ASHI REPORTER and in other publications ASHI may select.

Welmoed Sisson Inspections by Bob Franklin, MD

A register in the garage steps? They couldn’t have… they didn’t… (checks in basement – note duct reaching over the white pipe and through the rim)… Yep, they sure did.

Welmoed Sisson Inspections by Bob Franklin, MD

Here in Santa Cruz, we have monster stumps.

Chris McDougall Apex Home Inspection Santa Cruz, CA Chris McDougall Apex Home Inspection Santa Cruz, CA

Rn

RADON

Rn

RADON

Rn

RADON

If homeowners could see radon gas, you wouldn’t need us.

Rn

RADON

Rn

RADON

Rn

RADON Rn

RADON

Are you testing with the most trusted name in continuous radon monitors?

lab-certified, guaranteed test results

1-hour report turnaround after upload

highly accurate, proven technology

full-service equipment maintenance We want your radon inspection business to thrive.

So, we’re here for you at every step. Our monitor program includes test report processing by experts at our certified lab, and are accompanied by complimentary repair and annual calibration services.

With our helpful staff, online tools, and apps for mobile devices, you will find working with us to be a breeze.

Call or visit us online today!

Postcards from the Field

Note: By sending in your postcard(s), you are expressly granting ASHI the right to use the postcard and your name with it in the ASHI REPORTER and in other publications ASHI may select.

Do they make a dead front in chrome?

Who needs a chimney? Vent a hot water tank, through a soil stack pipe. At least it’s cast iron and has a condensation drain!

Tony Tilenni Superior Home Inspections Ltd. Tallmadge, OH

DIY: Asbestos Removal / Storage

Todd Thuss Integra Inspection Services LLC Hunstville, AL

The Coopers must have built this house!

James Brock Boston Home Inspectors South Boston, MA

Recycling at its finest— it took a lot of coffee to achieve this!

Mark Pepin Advantage Home Inspections Inc. Longmont, CO

Why do we need clearance? Just get some napkins, please.

Ryan Walker Professional Home Inspection Services Binghamton, NY Barry Martindale Martindale Home Inspections LLC Harrison, AR

YOUR NATIONAL STANDARD FOR HOME INSPECTION.

YOUR NATIONAL NETWORK.

Make it easy for potential customers to find you by registering in our online Inspector Database.

You’ll be listed as a qualified home inspector in your area and receive a free marketing toolkit to help promote your business. From talking points to social media posts, it has everything you need to stand out.

Grow professionally and connect with other home inspectors through our Facebook Page @NationalHomeInspectorExam.

Join the conversation about the home inspection profession, business development, questions from the field, and more in our private Facebook Group “NHIE Home Inspectors”.

MICHAEL HESTERBERG Building Inspections LLC, Kentucky and Ohio

We have used thermal cameras in our practice for many years. We use the cameras in two ways: 1. All my inspectors use a FLIR C3 camera that they carry with them.

This is strictly to give additional information or show us areas that would not normally be visible. It is a low-resolution infrared (IR) camera, 80x60, 4800 pixels, but with a sufficient temperature Delta between the interior and exterior, and it provides great information.

This camera has found issues that were not visible, but would have manifested later. Yes, this is a visual inspection and, in a perfect world, would avail us from liability; however, we all know “don’t miss it.” We just do not want the call back. 2. My company also offers a separate add-on that we call a Thermal

Assessment. In this case, we use a FLIR T540 with a resolution of 464x348, 161,472 pixels. We scan the interior surfaces of the home and provide a report for our clients. Since we started using IR cameras, when we inspect the bathrooms, we now run hot water into the fixtures while testing the bathrooms. We do this so that when we finish running the water, usually on the second floors, we can briefly scan the ceilings below for any anomalies. It has been amazing how many leaks we have found that were not visible, but just drips from traps that area buried up in the ceiling. This additional service is becoming popular and has added to our bottom line. Also, it has reduced our liability by providing early warning information or just additional information to issues found in the home during the home inspection. If you are charging for this kind of inspection, I recommend obtaining a high-resolution camera (for example, no less than a FLIR E85 with a 384x288, 110,592 resolution). Then, when you enter the home, force the Temperature Delta by either turning up or down the thermostat, depending on the time of year, about an hour prior to camera use. This helps accentuate any issues and lets them stand out. In addition, I have crafted a specific comment, placed in my report, depending on whether I am charging and doing a full assessment or if I am just using the C3. For example, if I am not doing a full assessment, but using my C3, I use this comment: Any use of a thermographic infrared camera during this inspection is for screening purposes only. This is not intended to indicate that a full thermographic assessment was conducted on this home. The information is provided only for the purposes of screening areas of the home and presenting thermographic anomalies that may indicate an issue requiring possible repair. In order to do a full thermographic inspection, the home should be prepared, e.g., with the temperature being set so there is a proper difference between the interior or exterior. If a full thermographic assessment is desired, then an additional fee and equipment with higher resolutions will be used and there will be requests to set the thermostat at proper settings. THIS WAS NOT A FULL THERMOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT, ONLY AN INFORMATIONAL SCREENING OF SELECTED AREAS OF THE HOME. If I do an assessment for which we charge the client, I use this comment: A thermographic assessment was conducted on the interior of this home. The pictures and comments attached to this report reflect the opinions of the thermographer who took the infrared images. Infrared is a technology that can detect radiated heat in the form of infrared light and present this in a photographic manner. The color pallet used in the radiometric pictures is to present to the viewer the best contrast that will show the thermal anomalies present at the time of the inspection. Infrared requires specialized interpretation that can be made by a qualified thermographer. Any anomalies should have further assessment to confirm the source of the anomalies and to determine the repairs that may be needed. We charge depending on the square foot in our area and it can range from $150 for smaller homes to $250 for larger homes. Some items that have been found using IR have included water leaks, missing waste pipes buried behind drywall where there is no clean- out, the presence of animals, severe air leakage, missing or nonperforming insulation in both ceilings and walls, verifying under the floor or in the ceiling heating elements, water inside block walls and behind EIFS, wet flooring and carpet, and leaking shower doors. Finally, my advice is that if you are going to use this type of technology, be a prudent inspector and obtain the training appropriate for your service. At a minimum, I would take an introductory certification course. I personally took Monroe Infrared’s CRT (Certified Residential Thermography). This will give you the basic understanding about IR and information about the different camera options. If you plan on charging for this inspection, I recommend obtaining a more advanced training course such as a Level I or Level II Thermographer designation. Both are offered through companies such as ITC, Infrared Training Center and SNELL. My feeling is, if you are going to charge for the service, you should offer the best resolution and have the best certification commensurate with your level of service. Thermography is here to stay and I feel that the younger, more tech- savvy clients will start to demand this in the years to come. We have found some dramatic issues using the IR camera and it’s a real “wow” factor during the inspection, not to mention the “I would not have found that without an IR camera” factor.

WATCH FOR MORE RESPONSES ON THIS TOPIC IN THE MAY ISSUE OF THE ASHI REPORTER.

UPDATE